carat

Signification (English)

1. A metric unit of mass equal to exactly 200 mg, chiefly used for measuring precious stones and pearls.
2. Any of several small units of mass used for measuring precious stones and pearls, equivalent to 189–212 mg.
3. A 24-point scale used to measure the purity of gold.

Concepts

carat

ct

Synonyms

karat

kt

c

c

dram

grain

metric carat

Prononcé comme (IPA)

/ˈkæɹ.ət/

Étymologie (English)

From Middle French carat, from Italian carato, from Arabic قِيرَاط (qīrāṭ, “carat, similarly small units such as inches”), from Ancient Greek κεράτιον (kerátion, “hornlet, carob seed”), from κέρας (kéras, “horn”) + -ιον (-ion, “forming diminutives”). Doublet of karat and quilate.